It's the season of lights in the Washington DC metro area. Many parks and botanical gardens are hosting beautiful light displays through the new year: Brookside Garden of Lights - Montgomery County MD hosts its annual display at Brookside Gardens through January 5th. Walk among the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds in 50 acres ...
(DC) (National Gallery of Art) Enjoy a winter skate at the NGA's iconic ice rink surrounded by sculptures and the National Mall. Purchase skating passes in person. Fees cover two back-to-back, 45-minute skating sessions that each begin on the hour. Enjoy a hot cocoa and food at the adjoining Pavilion Cafe. The skating rink will be open through March 2nd ...
(DC) (United States Botanic Garden) The annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains circulate from 10:00-5:00 daily through displays of pollinators made from plant ...
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.
(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service and Rock Creek Weed Warrior Leader Kathy Sykes for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow native plants to thrive in the understory. Event location, directions, and information will be ...
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Late fall and early winter offers a wealth of interesting plant material perfect for pencil drawing. Learn the basics of drawing botanical subjects in pencil with Nature Forward member Jen Brown this fall. First we will cover basic pencil handling techniques and how to depict light and shadow in graphite. Then we will work on ways to ...
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join David Harold for Tai Chi practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We will gather west of the Lily Pond near the entrance at Klingle Road NW. David is passionate about making Taiji and Qigong practice and principles accessible. For 15 years, he led a free, weekly public outdoor practice in Winston-Salem, NC. That practice continues to be led ...
(DC) (National Zoo) MOO! OINK! CLUCK! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about different animals that live on the farm. This week, we explore some of our beloved animals from the Kids Farm' exhibit- our cows, chickens, and kunekune pigs. We'll create our own muddy kunekune pigs, practice animal caretaking tasks like collecting eggs ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern Virginia) Many know Northern Virginia for its economic dynamism, cultural development and ever-changing landscape. Less well known are the places sheltering remnants of an earlier, vital, natural history. If you would like to discover native birds, other fauna and flora — in the company of dedicated citizen scientists — then consider joining one or more ...
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for informal walks through Glencarlyn Park in search of resident and migratory birds. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Adults.
(DC) (Hillwood) Create a traditional, one-of-a-kind holiday decoration of hearty evergreens to enliven your home at this in-person workshop. Your finished wreath will be approximately sixteen to eighteen inches wide and can be hung indoors or out. All materials are included. Payment is required in advance and is non-refundable. This program will take place indoors and is limited to twelve ...
(MD) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Artist Sophia McCrocklin’s larger-than-life botanical fiber sculptures explore art’s crucial role in enhancing human relationships with the environment. By spotlighting the grandeur of leaves, seed pods, and ferns from Rock Creek Park’s understory, McCrocklin documents the beauty and reverence of the species at the frontline of climate change. The exhibit is available to view during Writer's ...
(DC) (National Park Service) Come check out this seasonal pop-up exhibit in the Rock Creek Nature Center to learn about the plants of the winter solstice. Craft your own winter solstice-plant inspired decoration to help us decorate the exhibit hall for the holiday season. Ongoing through Dec. 29th.
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in birding? Do you want to be part of a national community science project? Then, join us at Locust Grove Nature Center for Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome. Ages ...
(MD) (DC Bird Alliance) We're teaming up with our friends at PG Parks and with expert birder and award-winning photographer, Matt Felperin, to capture the Bald Eagles of Conowingo Dam. Here's your chance to see dozens -- even more -- Bald Eagles! Conowingo Dam at Fisherman's Park is one of the largest congregations of migrating Bald Eagles in the Mid-Atlantic. Time-permitting, we'll ...
(MD) (Casey Trees) Welcome to our fall season of Community Tree Plantings! Join us in planting trees at Langley Terrace Apartments. You provide the volunteers, we provide all the necessary tools and supplies to plant the trees. Participants will receive a hands-on training on site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will be split up into groups supervised by ...
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join us outside of public hours for a sensory-friendly morning at our annual “Season’s Greenings” holiday exhibit! Explore model trains in the gated outdoor gardens circulating through large models of pollinators made from plant parts, as well as poinsettias and D.C. landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. These pollinator scenes include sculptures of a bat ...
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join David Harold for Tai Chi practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We will gather west of the Lily Pond near the entrance at Klingle Road NW. David is passionate about making Taiji and Qigong practice and principles accessible. For 15 years, he led a free, weekly public outdoor practice in Winston-Salem, NC. That practice continues to be led ...
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Want to know more about holiday herbs, spices, and fruits? Drop by the Garden Court in the Conservatory to talk with Adam Pyle, USBG Horticulture Project Manager about the plants that give us the familiar flavors of the holidays! Bring your questions and connect with USBG plant science professionals in this Expert Is In program.
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Tai Chi is an ancient, Chinese form of exercise perfect for adults seeking stress reduction while strengthening muscles, improving balance, and increasing flexibility. The Forms are repetitive patterns that emphasize slow, flowing motions and controlled movements. Classes will help beginners to learn the Forms while providing regular practitioners the guidance of an experienced instructor. Class size limited ...
(DC) (African American History and Culture Museum) Explore More! in STEM is a classroom program for ages 8+ to explore STEM concepts in relation to African American history, culture, or the museum. In this lesson, participants will learn about the Gullah Geechee people and their culture, how rice was/is cultivated in the U.S., and take a closer look at rice itself.
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join Ellen, Weed Warrior Supervisor, for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park in Colesville, MD. We will focus on non-native, invasive vines and shrubs, including roundleaf bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), honeysuckle vine (Lonicera japonica), and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora). We’ll be working in close proximity to the Good Hope tributary, which has ...
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This series of classes feature foundational yoga poses that are designed to support better breathing, walking, and space orientation. Yoga movements help build muscle, bone density and core strength while improving balance, posture, and flexibility. Mats are not included. Instructor: Sherry Weber. Held in the Visitor Center auditorium. Ages 18+ This class meets weekly.
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Want to know more about poinsettias? Drop by the Garden Court of the USBG Conservatory to talk with Howard Luckey, USBG Gardener (Advanced) about these seasonal sensations! Bring your questions and connect with USBG plant science professionals in this Expert Is In program.
(DC) (Hillwood) Explore the bones of Hillwood’s peaceful winter gardens with Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture. Evergreen plants take center stage, deciduous woody plants become architectural, and hardscapes become more important. Winter’s cool light shapes the experience, and we can sense more subtle shades of green and brown. The few flowers in bloom are very special, and the texture of ...
(MD) (VA) (DC) Each year from December 14 through January 5, tens of thousands of volunteers brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle, counting every bird ...
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Each year from December 14 through January 5, tens of thousands of volunteers brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Join Meadowside Nature Center in its effort to collect data in this long-running wildlife census ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Nature Forward will conduct its 82nd Annual Christmas Bird Count! The 15-mile diameter count circle encompasses most of the District and parts of Virginia and Maryland. So, no matter where you live in or around the District, there is a spot for you to count. Novices and intermediate level birders will be placed with experts, so don’t ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) DC Bird Alliance is happy to contribute to this global community science effort to help birds and their habitats. Join us at one of our traditional Winter Bird Count hotspots, Battery Kemble. We'll bring the coffee!
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join our partners at Chesapeake Climate Action Network to tackle invasive vines at Catholic University Woods! Start with hands-on training in vine removal, then dive into the forest to remove invasive species like porcelain berry, English ivy, and kudzu. Make a real impact on DC’s urban forest!
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy team covering Sweet Run State Park in northwestern Loudoun County for the Charles Town, WV Christmas Bird Count. Begun in 1899, these annual surveys are held all over North America, with the results used to better understand bird populations and dynamics. Everyone is welcome; amateurs are assisted by experienced birders, and ...
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Want to know more about holiday herbs, spices, and fruits? Drop by the Garden Court in the Conservatory to talk with Adam Pyle, USBG Horticulture Project Manager about the plants that give us the familiar flavors of the holidays! Bring your questions and connect with USBG plant science professionals in this Expert Is In program.
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join David Harold for Tai Chi practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We will gather west of the Lily Pond near the entrance at Klingle Road NW. David is passionate about making Taiji and Qigong practice and principles accessible. For 15 years, he led a free, weekly public outdoor practice in Winston-Salem, NC. That practice continues to be led ...
(DC) (Hillwood) Explore the bones of Hillwood’s peaceful winter gardens with Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture. Evergreen plants take center stage, deciduous woody plants become architectural, and hardscapes become more important. Winter’s cool light shapes the experience, and we can sense more subtle shades of green and brown. The few flowers in bloom are very special, and the texture of ...
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Come work on this exciting habitat restoration project! The Lockwood/Elmwood sernior housing complex is a partner in the "Stretch Our Parks" program to restore habitat in and around parks to improve and expand habitat for birds and other pollinators and wildlife. Property management and implementing partners Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, Arlington Regional Master Naturalists, and ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a walk through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with your favorite canine on our special Pup Days at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 10am to 7pm. (through October). Please note: Garden admission ends at 6:30pm.
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This series of classes feature foundational yoga poses that are designed to support better breathing, walking, and space orientation. Yoga movements help build muscle, bone density and core strength while improving balance, posture, and flexibility. Mats are not included. Instructor: Sherry Weber. Held in the Visitor Center auditorium. Ages 18+ This class meets weekly.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Bundle up for a frosty fun morning with your little ones! This session includes a cozy story time, cheerful songs, and an engaging winter-themed game. We'll take a nature walk to explore the beauty of the season, then return to the visitor center to create a delightful hanging craft to celebrate winter's charm. Perfect for children ages ...
(DC) (National Park Service) Come check out this seasonal pop-up exhibit in the Rock Creek Nature Center to learn about the plants of the winter solstice. Craft your own winter solstice-plant inspired decoration to help us decorate the exhibit hall for the holiday season. Ongoing through Dec. 29th.
(DC) (Hillwood) Explore the bones of Hillwood’s peaceful winter gardens with Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture. Evergreen plants take center stage, deciduous woody plants become architectural, and hardscapes become more important. Winter’s cool light shapes the experience, and we can sense more subtle shades of green and brown. The few flowers in bloom are very special, and the texture of ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Ages 9 +
(DC) (National Zoo) Explore the how animals stay warm throughout winter with creative, drop-in play at the Zoo! Investigate cold climates through sensory play and learn how animals adapt to the cold through art activities such as creating your own beaver lodge. Little Critters Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with ...
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.
(DC) (National Park Service) If the National Mall is America’s Front Yard, then Rock Creek Park is America’s Back Yard. From before the park was founded, presidents have spent time on Rock Creek Park land. Come join a ranger for a 2 ¾ mile hike and learn the ways that presidential history flows through Rock Creek.
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Santa’s animal friends are lost in our park and need rescuing! Go on a scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats for the holidays! Appropriate for families and children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event takes place on December 14th and 15th, 21st through ...
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) What do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide? Open ...
(DC) (Smithsonian Asian Art Museum) Meditation helps us build a relationship to a place of inner quietude. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled practitioner, join us for free online meditation sessions each week led by DC-based meditation teachers on Tuesdays and Fridays. Friday sessions include inspiration from art in the museum collections, much of which is inspired by nature, ...
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Do you like working outside? Join community volunteers in protecting the local environment from non-native invasive plants. This is a continuing project on every Thursday and the first Saturday of each month to reclaim Upton Hill Regional Park from non-native invasive plants. To learn more about Arlington's invasive plant program, visit https://environment.arlingtonva.us/trees/invasive-plants/. To learn more about ...
(DC) (National Park Service) Come check out this seasonal pop-up exhibit in the Rock Creek Nature Center to learn about the plants of the winter solstice. Craft your own winter solstice-plant inspired decoration to help us decorate the exhibit hall for the holiday season. Ongoing through Dec. 29th.
(VA) (Arlington Parks) We'll visit our classroom to learn about nocturnal animals then walk the trails to see if we can find them in the dark. Bundle up, it can become very cold. Families.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Ages 9 +
(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Kathy Sykes for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow native plants to thrive in the understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent ...
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.
(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service and Rock Creek Weed Warrior Leader Kathy Sykes for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow native plants to thrive in the understory. Event location, directions, and information will be ...
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) What do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide? Open ...
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Smokey Bear! Enjoy various activities, a campfire with s’mores, and of course, a noon countdown to ring in the New Year!
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Join our nature and forest therapy guide in this two-hour program that encourages you to slow down and take in the National Arboretum through all your senses. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered ...
(VA) (Virginia State Parks) While Americans traditionally ring in the New Year at midnight on New Year's Eve, other cultures welcome it with the first sunrise of New Year's Day. Join rangers for this unique experience, witnessing the sky transition from dark to light as a new day and a new year dawns. While on top of the Piedmont Overlook, we will ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Take a hike with a naturalist in the early morning to view the stunning first sunrise of the year as it crests over the lake. Rejuvenate as you walk along the park trails and signal in the new year. Ages 4 to Adult.
(DC) (National Park Service) Join the National Park Service at Rock Creek Nature Center for the New Year! Make a new year’s wish for yourself or the park while learning more about stars and how humans have connected with them in such unique ways.
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Some of the best times to identify birds is when the trees have no leaves and there aren't any obstacles in the way of your view! In this hike we will learn about our resident birds that stay with us year-round. Dress for the weather. We will provide binoculars, but you can bring your own. Families.
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) What do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide? Open ...
(DC) (Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy) Join us for stewardship of Dumbarton Oaks Park, DC's hidden green oasis and part of Rock Creek Park. Activities may include pulling invasive, cleanup, and planting. Contact [email protected] for more information and to RSVP.
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Did you know that the Tregaron Conservancy is a birding "hot spot"? Join birding expert Sam Krause on a walk to look and listen for Tregaron’s winter-time birds. Bring binoculars if you would like. Tregaron has mulched trails and varying terrain; close-toed shoes are recommended.
